July 1, 2021: President Miller has released an update to the campus community.
Today is the first day of the new fiscal year and I’m pleased to be able to share with campus that we have made some significant changes to the staff salary ranges.
Specifically, we have raised the salary grade minimums for grades one through nine. Our lowest minimum salary grade went from $18,000 to $22,880 annually, which means the minimum hourly rate for a benefits eligible employee is now $11 per hour. For all employees who do not meet the new salary minimum within their grade, their salaries have been elevated to the new minimum.
While we did not have enough money in our budget to do as much as we would have liked, we’re still able to do something for everyone. All returning employees, including eligible faculty, who are not impacted by the new salary grade minimum will receive at least a 2% raise. For staff, your new salary amount will be reflected in employment letters, which are being mailed through campus mail today.
The new salary ranges will be posted on the Human Resources website under the Current Employees tab for Compensation. (Visit Staff Salary Ranges)
My goal is to continue to intentionally work within our budget to raise faculty and staff salaries, to bring them closer to the Southern Region Education Board (SREB) average. For example, as an IHL system, faculty salaries are 23.1% below the SREB average. Five years of 4.6% annual raises would make up that difference. We are requesting a 9.9% increase in state appropriations next year that would address the 4.6% for Fiscal Year 2023 and make up what we didn’t have for this year. The goal is that through sufficient legislative funding and maintaining steady enrollment we can close the gap.
This university is committed to providing a quality, affordable education for all of our students. Student success is only possible through your commitment to the university. Without dedicated faculty and staff, we could not achieve these goals. This salary range adjustment is just the first step. My hope is that the budget for the following year will be sufficient to allow us to continue the work of providing meaningful raises for all of our employees.
I sincerely thank each of you for the role you play in making The W a great place to work.
Warmly,
Nora R. Miller
President